Dear friends in Christ, spring is a time of gardens and flowers.  It's also the time of graduation, and this weekend we are recognizing eight graduates from our congregation.  Carol and I so far have attended only one graduation, and looking back I can't recall one thing the commencement speaker said.  Graduation speeches are mostly a waste of time.  If speakers would only tell us something practical, like how to make a good hamburger, at least we could take something with us.  Now I have never been asked to speak at a graduation, but I do have a speech all prepared.  And since this seems the appropriate time, I'd like to deliver it to you.  If I were asked, this is what I would say:

          Dear young friends, as you end these years of your educational endeavor, I wish to remind you, the class of 2006, that graduation is a beginning, not an end.  Today you are at the crossroads of opportunity, leading on to the great highway of life.  And it is your choice whether you go with the flow or march to the beat of a different drummer.  Moderation in all things is best, because life is no bed of roses; in fact, life is what you make it.  It's a scary world out there, but it's the best one we have, and so my challenge to you is to make a difference.

          As you leave these hallowed halls and step into real life, make sure you honor those who have gone before, because, truly, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  But take it easy - making a mistake is not the end of the world.  Nobody's perfect.  You're only human, and it can happen to the best.  But you must learn to lead, follow or get out of the way.  Count your blessings because we're all in the same boat.  If you get handed a lemon, make lemonade.

          As you go from this day forward, you will realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same.  In life, waiting is the hardest part.  Today is the first day of the rest of your life.  Don't forget where you came from, and enjoy life to the fullest.  Seize the day.  As they say, if it's to be, it's up to me!  Do your best and let God take care of the rest.

          And so, as we pass the torch to you, the new generation, I urge you to light that darkness that comes before the dawn, and leave the world a little better place than you found it.  For, if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; but if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.  Which is to say that a man's reach should exceed his grasp.  And so, with your feet firmly on the ground, and your eyes looking up to the stars, someday you should be able to look in the mirror and say, "I have done my best."  That is all we ask.  Thank you and God bless you all!

          There!  I finally got to deliver my commencement address, and I'm sure you found it memorable.  You did, didn't you?  I mean I said a lot of important things.  What?  Excuse me, was that a groan I heard?  You mean you've already heard those things?  And you say you already can't remember a thing I said?  How can that be?

          Well then, how about this?  Mix lean ground beef with grated cheese, add barbecue sauce (chopped onion if you like), and spice with Mrs. Dash.  Press into 5" round patties ½ inch thick and fry one minute each side on a very hot grill.  Serve on a fresh bun with a slice of tomato.  Okay now, which are you going to remember?  A plateful of platitudes, or how to make a fine hamburger?

          Let's do something a lot more important.  Let's open our Bibles to Acts 11:19-26 (today's First Lesson).  In this true story of the early church, we meet Barnabas, a gentle, humble man whose name means "encourager."  We don't hear too much about Barnabas, but he was important.  He was the first teacher and companion to the Apostle Paul.  He started several churches and may even have written the book of Hebrews.  Whatever the case, his faith was evident enough that the early church leaders sent him around to help the little churches grow stronger.  The stoning of Stephen had scattered believers all over the Mediterranean, and wherever they went, they shared the Gospel of Jesus that changed people's lives.

          You and I really don't change anyone - God's Word does.  We're just the vessels, His instruments.  But the Gospel, powered by the Holy Spirit, changes people's hearts.  We just need to be willing to be God's voices, and God will change hearts.  As St. Paul once wrote, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow." (1 Corinthians 3:6)   It doesn't all depend on us, but on God.  Keep this in mind as you look to the future of Epiphany.  God has made our church grow, and He will keep it growing.  But it will take many willing hands and voices.  We must be God's instruments of growth.

          The Bible verse I want you to think about today is this:  "When [Barnabas] arrived [at Antioch] and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." (Acts 11:23)   And that is my encouragement to you all today - to remain true to the Lord with all your heart.  Stay faithful to God.  Trust in Him and be blessed!

          God was working, growing the church, during those early years in Antioch.  His Word was producing results and taking root in people's hearts.  The news that Jesus of Nazareth was the risen Son of God changed people.  They wanted to know more about Him.  They wanted to live like He did, and do what He wanted them to do.  The Bible says believers were first called Christians at Antioch.  The name given the believers there caught on and has stuck with us for 2000 years!

          Faith in Christ is active.  It isn't passive, waiting, wanting and needing.  Faith looks for opportunities and helps others.  The world is full of needy people for us to help, and rather than want to be served, let's rather find ways to do service.  Just do it!  God seeks men and women and children willing to give of themselves, to speak and to do for Jesus.  Find a way to serve God.  If each of us would find just one good way to serve - and then do it faithfully - how blessed we'd be.  If God's people would seek more ways to help others, they would find fewer reasons to be offended or to complain.  Those who serve don't have time to grumble.  But they do have time to rejoice, especially when they have a "God thing" happen.

          I had another of those "God things" happen last week.  Epiphany needs a new janitor.  Whitney has been serving us with weekly cleaning for 4 years.  She is graduating from college, and so will be leaving our employ at the end of May.  I reported this to Council and told them of a cleaning service that had given us a reasonable proposal last fall.  Council said John and I should call the service and get them on board if possible.  But somehow the proposal was lost.  I couldn't find it, nor remember the company name.  The next day I spent two hours pouring over the Yellow Pages and notes but found nothing.  Just then the phone rang.  And who was it?  "Complete Solutions", that very company I was seeking.  They wanted to know if we had re-considered their proposal.  They will start working for us June 1.

          "God things" don't have to be big to be memorable.  We just need to watch for them.  God always encourages us just when we need it, if we just keep our eyes open.  But we must look past the present.  God can't get through to us if we can't see past the ends of our noses.  He can't hear our prayers if they're only filled with complaints.  I encourage you - stay faithful to God!  You can be sure He will always be faithful to you.

          Senator Mark Hatfield years ago told of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting a "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days.  They also visited the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds each day to receive medical attention.  Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering.  "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked.  Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, but I am called to be faithful."

          You and I, too, are called to be faithful.  In my commencement speech there were a few true and helpful lines.  One is, "Do your best and let God take care of the rest."  God doesn't tell us we must be successful.  The success comes from Him.  He just tells us to be faithful and loving in what we do.

          God has always been faithful with us.  Jesus, our faithful Lord, gave His life that we might live.  That may sound like just another pious platitude, but it's very true.  By His death, believers shall live.  By His wounds we are healed.  Whoever believes in Him will be saved.  Whoever comes to Him in faith will not be sent away empty.  He keeps His promises.  He says whoever helps the least of God's people, helps God Himself; whoever uses what God has given him wisely will receive even more; whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.  May we believe Jesus is our Lord and always stay faithful to Him.  And may such faith in Christ bring us all to eternal life.  Amen.

Copyright © 2006 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.